In a landmark move for gig economy workers' rights, New York City Council has overridden a veto from former Mayor Eric Adams, passing legislation that imposes restrictions on app-based services like Uber and Lyft from deactivating their drivers without proper notice and due process. According to Gothamist, the law now requires these companies to issue a 14-day notice before removing drivers from their platforms unless egregious misconduct is alleged. The new measures also create pathways for appeal and potential reinstatement with back pay.
The City Council Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure voted unanimously to forward this bill back to the full council after it was initially vetoed at the end of 2025. The legislation, known as Intro. 0276, was reintroduced in January and is tailored to protect against what is commonly termed as "unfair deactivations," which posed a significant threat to drivers' income stability. In a statement obtained by amNewYork, Council Member Shekar Krishnan (D-Queens), the bill’s primary sponsor, emphasized the new day for workers' protection, saying, "And we also have a mayor now at City Hall who believes just as strongly as our City Council does in standing up for Uber and Lyft drivers across this city and across this country."
Rideshare companies have not taken this new legislation lightly, with representatives from both Uber and Lyft voicing their concerns. Lyft spokesperson Geoff Berman has called the policy "flawed," arguing that it risks maintaining unsafe drivers on the platform. Similarly, Uber spokesperson Josh Gold previously expressed apprehension that the bill would compel the apps to continue dispatching rides to drivers for up to 14 more days after they've been terminated, thereby potentially endangering passengers. These concerns stem from the companies' perspective that the measures could inadvertently keep problematic drivers in service longer than necessary.
However, proponents of the legislation argue that it will considerably enhance the conditions for the more than 100,000 rideshare drivers across New York City. The new rules are designed not only to provide drivers due process but also to bare the burden of proof in unfair deactivation cases onto the companies. Additionally, an informal resolution process is to now be made available, and cases can also be escalated to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for further investigation and intervention, as Councilmember Shaun Abreu (D-Manhattan) told amNewYork.
Similarly protective legislation, Intro. 1332, focuses on delivery workers and went into effect this past Monday. This twin policy to the rideshare bill mandates giving a reason for reactivation, requires a 120-day notice period before permanent app removal, and provides an appeals process for the deliveristas working for companies such as UberEats, DoorDash, and Grubhub.
